The effects of alcohol consumption on human health have fuelled a vigorous scientific debate in recent years. This volume, based on the scientific sessions of the International Meeting on MODERATE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, held in Venice October 30-31, 1999, is intended to offer an up-to-date view of the most recent information on this complex topic. While comprehension ofthe damages associated with alcohol abuse has improved, an increasing number of epidemiological studies performed in different countries of the world, have shown that individuals consuming moderate amounts of alcohol (l 0-30 g/day, approximately equivalent to not more than two drinks per day in men and one drink per day in women) are less affected by acute coronary events than total abstainers. The apparent protection is evident (the rate of coronary events in most studies is reduced by about 30%) and has been observed and documented among various population groups (men, women, several racial groups, middle-aged and older individuals). Protection is seen in patients with no known history of coronary heart disease, as well as in those with coronary heart disease, diabetes, etc. Recent data suggest that the protection induced by a moderate alcohol use extends to the risk of ischemic strokes and of ischemic damage to the lower limbs. Since adverse alcohol effects are less frequent at these low daily intakes, total mortality is also favourably affected in moderate alcohol consumers as compared to abstainers.

Klappentext

The complex relationships between alcohol use and human health represent an area of increasing interest to specialists interested in preventive cardiology. The inverse relationship between alcohol consumption and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, especially myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, has in fact gained sound scientific support in recent years. This book, based in an international symposium on the topic held in Venice, October 30-31, 1999, analyzes in depth the epidemiological association between alcohol consumption and human diseases and discusses the possible mechanisms involved in alcohol-associated protection from atherosclerotic diseases. The oxidative effects of different amounts of alcohol intake and of various alcoholic beverages in the production of these effects - subjects of considerable debate - are also analyzed. This book will be of interest to clinicians and researchers active in the areas of atherosclerosis, public health, preventive medicine, and preventive cardiology. It is intended to specifically help practising clinicians provide their patients with evidence-based answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding alcohol use.

Inhalt

1. Alcohol and Cardiovascular Disease: Introductory Overview.- 1. Alcohol and Cardiovascular Diseases: An Historical Overview.- 2. Effects of Alcohol on Lipids and Lipoprotein Metabolism.- 3. Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease.- II Antiatherogenic Effects of Alcoholic Beverages: Basic and Biochemical Issues.- 4. Moderate Alcohol Consumption and High Density Lipoproteins.- 5. Acute Effects of Alcohol on the Turnover of Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) Apolipoprotein B-100 in Normolipidemic Subjects.- 6. Alcohol, Coagulation, and Fibrinolysis.- 7. Moderate Alcohol Consumption, Insulin Resistance, and Cardiovascular Disease.- 8. Oxidative Stress Associated to Alcohol Consumption.- 9. Antiatherogenic Effects of Nonalcoholic Ingredients in Alcoholic Beverages.- III Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease: From Epidemiology to Clinics.- 10. Alcohol Intake, Drinking Habits, and Coronary Heart Disease.- 11. Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Stroke: Update on Recent Epidemiological Findings.- 12. What Influences the Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Total Mortality?.- 13. Epidemiological Confounders in the Relationship Between Alcohol and Cardiovascular Disease.- 14. Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of Alcohol.- IV Alcoholic Beverages and Cardiovascular Disease Protection: an Effect of Alcohol or Other Components?.- 15. Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Cardiovascular Disease.- 16. Alcoholic Beverages and Cardiovascular Disease Protection: The Effect of Alcohol or Other Components?.